He told the New Statesmen his experience in America taught him
“the only thing you have the same as your opponents is your
time – it’s about who uses it better.”

Labour insiders are optimistic the party can snatch Clegg’s seat
in the general election, largely due to his supposed legacy of
betrayal.

Tom Watson MP, Labour leader Ed Miliband's former election
coordinator, said: “This seat is winnable for Labour. I have
never encountered such animosity on the doorstep against an
incumbent MP – particularly one as high-profile.

Clegg also came under fire in his constituency for failing to
secure a government loan for a local nuclear power business,
Sheffield Forgemasters.

The Lib Dem leader won a 53.4-percent majority in the 2010
election and a similar proportion of the vote in 2005.

Nicola Bates, the Conservative Party parliamentary candidate in
2010, came second winning 23 percent of the vote.

Clegg has brushed off suggestions he will not be returned to
Parliament after the election in May.

A spokesperson for the deputy PM said: “We are never
complacent, we don't take any votes for granted but we are
confident on winning because Nick's been the local MP there for
ten years, he's got a record in Sheffield that we are happy to
defend and his constituents appreciate.”

“Nick is extremely well known in Sheffield Hallam, and hugely
well respected. He has a large personal vote and has ‎delivered
consistently over the last 10 years. Labour are talking a good
game but they seem to be measuring the curtains already when they
are not ‎going to be successful,” they added.